Healthy Aging vs Anti-Aging

Aging is a natural process of the body which must be supported, not fought against.

Aging is defined as a process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environmentally modulated. Many magazines and programs tend to focus on “anti-aging” therapies that view aging as a disease or pathological process. These “therapies” tend to focus on the physical aspects of aging and involve invasive cosmetic surgical techniques such as collagen or botulinum toxin injections*, or harsh skin chemical treatments to remove wrinkles and other blemishes. Some surgical techniques are quite drastic and include stomach stapling (gastric bypass surgery**), liposuction*** and face lifts****. Aging is seen as something we must fight against and a process of whole body decline. However, aging is less about living longer or physical appearance, but more about living better; it’s about spending more years in a state of health and vitality.

The key to health is doing the right thing for a long time. Many patients abuse their body and do not take care of their diet and lifestyle hoping there will be some quick fix solution will appear when problems arise. Our society has become so focused on physical aspects of aging that people tend to fixate on physical alterations than ever before. While many surgical, chemical and drug options are available some come with a wide range of side effects and none really focus on helping the body age well. People need to realize when efforts are focused on healthy aging, the body responds with increased energy, vitality and ages gracefully well into the senior years.

*Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances in the world. Though it is highly toxic, it is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment in some parts of the world. It is sold commercially under the brand names Botox and Dysport for this purpose. The terms Botox and Dysport are trade names and are not used generically to describe the neurotoxins produced by clostridia species. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin)

**** Face-lift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing sagging skin and tightening muscle tissue of the face and neck to counter signs of aging. The procedure is also called facialplasty, rhytidoplasty, and cervicofacial rhytidectomy (http://www.answers.com/topic/face-lift)